Am I An Owner Builder?
Whether you are or aren’t an owner builder can sometimes be a tricky concept to get your head around.
Even if you didn’t personally lift a hammer, but rather project managed different trades to do the work, – you are still, legally, the owne...
Read moreIs Your Smoke Alarm Up To Scratch
Fires can spread rapidly (in less than five minutes) through your house, according to findings from a Fire & Rescue NSW report. Interesting also is that homeowners are encouraged to look at how many fire alarms in their house to cover all potenti...
Read moreThe Block's Depreciation Schedules And You
So, “investors could claim an average of over $2.2 million in depreciation deductions for each apartment on Channel 9’s 2016 season of The Block,” according to new analysis reported by The Urban Developer.
By far the biggest potential deprec...
Read moreSafety Reversal Check For Automatic Garage Door
In most houses, the largest moving object is a garage door. Newer garage doors are often operated remotely through radio controls, electrical systems, pulleys and motors.
Serious injury or death from being hit by a closing garage door or from bein...
Read moreMeth testing - the new norm for prudent home buyers
The New Norm? Including Meth checks in Pre-Purchase Building Inspections
For home buyers there is nothing unusual about organising a Pre-Purchase Building Inspection on a potential property purchase. For smart buyers, a Pre-Purchase Building Inspe...
Read moreNeed To Know - Building Inspection Inclusions and Exclusions
It is important to understand what is generally included and excluded in a building inspection service. Jim's Building Inspections work hard to understand what type of property you are purchasing.
Factors that influence which building inspection...
Read moreBuilding Inspection Reports - the ultimate negotiation weapon
Rising damp and termite damage. Two issues that would normally send shivers down your spine and see potential buyers running for the hills.
But what if you could you turn a negative building inspection report, into the ultimate negotiation weapon?...
Read moreBeware Of Unqualified Building Inspections
How to avoid unqualified building inspections? In a Fairfax article, Chris Dyce, president of the Australian Society of Building Consultants, says go with experienced building inspectors. Make sure they’ve work experience in the industry and don’...
Read moreA Good Building Inspection Is Better Than An Expensive Cure
Put yourself in Hao’s shoes. He buys his dream home only to discover a buyer’s worst nightmare: most of his buildings are illegal.
As the Whittlesea Council says: His bungalow was constructed without a permit. And to add insult to financial in...
Read moreInadequate Site and subfloor drainage
A sub-floor is the structure and crawl space between the lowest floor and the ground. High moisture levels in these areas promote fungal decay and other timber pests such as termites.
All sub-floors and crawl spaces should be considered as having ...
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